The European Union

1. The European Union was created because:
The European Union was created to aim for the improvementof the economic well-being of certain regions in Europe. A number of European leaders decided in the 1940's that the only way to establish a lasting peace was to unite the two chief belligerent nations (France and Germany).


2. History of the EU:

  • The EU began in 1951 with six neighboring countries.
  • The largest enlargement of the EU was during May of 2004 with ten new countries joined.
  • The 1992 Treaty of Maastricht laid the basics for further forms of cooperation in a foreign and defense policy, in judicial and internal affairs, and in the creation of a common currency, known as the euro.
  • The euro was released into the union in January of 1999. It became the unit of exchange for all the countries except for the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Sweden.
  • The latest countries to join the Union was Balgaria and Romania in 2007. This brought the total to 27 countries living under the European
    Union.

3. What is the purpose of the European Union?

  • The European Unions purpose is to unite and bring the countries of Europe together after being enemies from the many deadly wars between the countries.
  • After World War I and II, the countries were mostly welcome of becoming allies.
  • It is meant to keep peace and help the countries together economically and politically.

4.How does the EU benefit Europeans?

  • The Eu brings Europeans closer together.
  • It makes the countries less likely to fight each other over land or political issues because they are tied so close together.
  • The Euro is the shared currency at makes trade much more simple.

Spain
  • Spain is a part of the European Union.
  • Spain joined the EU in 1986 with Portugal, bringing the total of countries to twelve countries.

What are the pros and cons of the EU for Spain?
  • The country uses the euro, which is very helpful for the economy. The euro makes trade and buisness between the European countries easier and simpler because they have the same currency to buy and sell with.
  • The EU helps Spain become more safe and protected from other histile countries.
  • One con for Spain joining the EU was that the EU made a vote for the European Constitution. This was a vote for the countries to join the EU. But many countries voted against the EU because they feared that their own country's culture would be destroyed or changed. Spain has not yet voted, and the constitution is now not as likely to become official or even take votes from countries any longer because the four countries that already voted decided to not vote for it.

How does the EU benefit Spain?
  • The EU has helped Spain by protecting and supporting the country from war and even issues like famine. This country has been greatly benifited ever since its arrival into the European Union in 1986.

spain-flag.gif
spain-flag.gif

This is the flag of Spain
map-of-spain2.jpg
map-of-spain2.jpg

This is a map of Spain
Sources:
http://www.sispain.org/english/foreign/union.html
http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/eu_members/spain/index_en.htm
http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/eu_members/spain/index_en.htm
http://www.map-of-spain.co.uk/maps-of-spain/spain/large_map-of-spain2.jpg
Mr. Wamsley
Britannica Encyclopedia, volume 11